Executing Organisations: SOCADIDO - Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organisation Hoffnungszeichen Sign of Hope e.v.

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1 Terms of Reference for a Feasibility Study Project Title: CONSERVING AND RESTORING FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS AND NATURAL RE- SOURCES IN THE TESO REGION, EASTERN UGANDA, THROUGH COMMUNITY ACTION SUP- PORT Country: Uganda Project Timeframe: Jan 2019 Dec 2021 Executing Organisations: SOCADIDO - Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organisation Hoffnungszeichen Sign of Hope e.v. 1. Background and Rationale SOCADIDO and Hoffnungszeichen Sign of Hope e.v. have been carrying out joint projects for several years and are currently designing a project to mitigate climate change effects and strengthen community resilience to the risks of drought, water logging and floods in Kumi and Bukedea districts. These areas are one of the most affected by the impacts of climate variability and change; are highly vulnerable to floods and water logging. Land degradation and deforestation make the area particularly vulnerable to these changes since they play a large role in the onset of flood events. The project seeks to address these challenges. Specific objectives will include improving the integrity of ecosystems by supporting sustainable community-led management and restoration of wetlands, forests and riverbanks; increasing agricultural productivity and climate-smart production; water resources management and climate change adaptation and increasing resilience of community through alternative and off-farm livelihood systems for increased incomes, credit and market access. Hoffnungszeichen Sign of Hope e.v. will be the Private Executing Organization and Contracting Party, while SOCADIDO will be the Local Executing Organization. In order to find relevant details for the final design of the intended project Sign of Hope e.v. is commissioning a feasibility study to be executed by an external consultant contracted by Sign of Hope e.v: The feasibility study will have to be implemented in close consultation with the local partner - SOCA- DIDO. 2. Study Objective An external feasibility study is to be conducted in order to gain a sound basis for developing a project concept and identifying project prerequisites, opportunities and risks. At the same time, the study shall lay the foundation for the detailed project and logframe design and serve as a basis for further baseline and evaluation reports. The study s purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of the planned project and help to avoid wrong investment decisions from the start. 3. Study Results The study will produce the following results: an analysis showing the technical, economic and financial, institutional and management, environmental and sociocultural feasibility of the proposed project a detailed problem analysis a stakeholder analysis and mapping a description of the target group a detailed analysis of the potential risks including recommendations on how to mitigate these

2 a description of the institutional structure required for project implementation, stipulating the roles and responsibilities of actors involved, a schedule on project timing/phasing, an assessment to which extent the proposed project can satisfy the DAC criteria while addressing the problems identified in the targeted communities; a draft financing proposal with estimated costs; a detailed theory of change and resulting logframe matrix specifying SMART indicators for the project objective and results, listing related activities and required resources recommendations for the following steps and any further action to secure project implementation and sustainability 4. Outputs and Deliverables Work Plan outlining detailed, finalised methodology; data collection tools; and outline of feasibility report Feasibility report of maximum 15 pages, structured as indicated in Annex 1 As Annex to the feasibility report: Suggested logical framework planning matrix The language of the report is English. Working language in the project site is Ateso. If necessary, SO- CADIDO will provide translation. 5. Process Phase 1: Desk Study and Inception A kick-off meeting (either face-to-face or online) between Sign of Hope and the contracted consultant will clarify all open issues related to this assignment. The consultant will be provided with all the relevant project and project context related documents to get familiarised with the planned project objectives and activities. The work plan developed at the end of this phase will finalise the methodology, data collection tools and site visit schedule. Phase 2: Data Collection and preliminary feedback to local executing organization The field mission will start with a briefing by SOCADIDO in their head office in Soroti. Site trips will gather information and data from the beneficiaries, stakeholders and proposed project sites. Accommodation and travelling can be facilitated by the SOCADIDO and Sign of Hope staff. Where required, the SOCADIDO staff will facilitate access to the target group and logistics. Suggestions for indicators, verification and logical framework matrix shall be drafted in close cooperation with SOCADIDO. At the end of the field mission the preliminary findings will have to be presented to and discussed with the local executing organization (SOCADIDO). It is critical that the consultant ensures ownership of initial findings to SOCADIDO and allows dialogue for learning. Phase 3: Data Analysis and Reporting Analysing the collected data and preparing the feasibility report and annex. Phase 4: Validation Presenting the findings and final draft report to the contracting organisations (in person or online); commenting of draft by executing agencies; joint meeting (physical or online) to validate feasibility results; inclusion of feedback, where appropriate, and submission of final report; approval of report by executing agencies. No government permissions are required. SOCADIDO will issue introductory letters to facilitate access where necessary.

3 6. Tender document On the basis of the proposed time schedule outlined in chapter 8 of these Terms of Reference, the consultant will prepare an offer including: Applicant s methodological and project cycle management expertise Applicant s experience conducting studies of a similar type Applicant s approach on conducting the study (methodology) Timetable Detailed Budget CV with references Example of previous similar work / report if available 7. Expert Profile of the Consultant Minimum requirements: Professional level knowledge of English and preferably Ateso Previous experience of at least three feasibility studies in the last five years, ideally in the relevant field Distinct knowledge of local context Knowledge of and experience in climate adaption and resilience projects Working experience with NGO and partnered projects desirable The general study can be performed by a single consultant. However, the project background requires a gender sensitive approach. Hence, for the project site assessment it would be desirable to operate with a team representing both sexes. (Academic) Background in: Social Sciences and/or Economics and/or (Water) Engineering and/or Agriculture The consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other Organisation or Government entity regarding this evaluation. 8. Tentative Timetable Proposals to be submitted by April 30 th 2018 Work Plan to be presented by May 13 th 2018 Draft feasibility report and annexes to be submitted by June 2 nd 2018 Final report to be submitted by June 20 th Management of the Evaluation A contract will be concluded between the consultant and Sign of Hope. The latter will be responsible for payment according to the invoices. The consultant may further down delegate individual tasks to others within the scope of the agreed budget. SOCADIDO will facilitate the study on the ground and provide the necessary background and documents to carry out the study. Complete tenders should be submitted as electronic document by April 30 th 2018 to Marcel Kipping Head of Department International Aid and Development Hoffnungszeichen Sign of Hope e.v. Kipping@hoffnungszeichen.de Konstanz,

4 Annex 1 TEMPLATE AND KEY QUESTIONS FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY 1) Purpose, objectives and utilization of the study What is the rationale or the specific reason for conducting the feasibility study, and what are its objectives? Who will use the findings? In what way? For what purpose? This question should be reviewed, in particular, with regard to potential utilization of the study for the development of project application, the project concept and for project implementation. What will be the scope of the study in terms of timing and geographical coverage? What specific (sub)areas or (sub-)sectors will be given special attention? What methodology will the study be based on? What earlier experience from similar projects and programs and from other studies and analyses etc. should be used as a basis for drawing up the feasibility study? What specific recommendations can the study provide for the organization carrying out the project with a view to planning and implementing the project? 2) Context and problem analysis What is the (current) situation in the sector/region/country in question? What does the socioeconomic, political and cultural context look like? What problems have been identified? What are their causes and how do they impact on the living conditions of population groups? Which population groups? What needs have been identified based on the problem analysis? How were these needs identified (or how will they be identified)? What is the background of, and what has led to, the planned project and its impact logic? Who proposed the original project idea? Are there any alternatives to the planned project or any of its components? 3) Project-executing organization in the partner country (local executing organization) Which local organizations are suitable implementing partners and why? How much capacity do these organizations have in institutional, technical, staffing and financial terms? What measures are needed to build the local partner's organizational and general capacity? To what extent do local implementation partners identify with the project (ownership) and are committed to making it a success? What is the relationship between the local partners and the target group/stakeholders? (Legitimacy) Is there an overlap or conflict of interests? How can interaction and coordination between the partners and the stakeholders be improved? 4) Target group and stakeholder analysis a) Target group What is the target group for the project? What criteria are used in the selection of the target group? Are there possibly several target groups affected in different ways by the problems?

5 How homogeneous or heterogeneous is the target group in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, language, capacity, etc., and how will the project need to respond to this? What are the needs of the target group? How can these needs be addressed? What is the role of the target group(s) in the broader social context? What conflicts of interest could arise between the target group and other, non-target groups as a result of the support provided through the project? What is the target group s potential especially with regard to ownership/initiative, self-help activities and local problem-solving capacity? How can this potential be strengthened? b) Stakeholders Who are the main governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the sector and beyond at the project location, in the project region and the project country? How does the planned project fit in with the government development strategy? What are the interests of the stakeholders? Are there any visible conflicts of interest? What interdependencies are to be expected between the project and other interventions/projects supported by the stakeholders? How will this be taken into account in the project concept? Do the stakeholders share a common understanding of the problem(s) and of the project objectives derived thereof? How strong is the various stakeholders' support for the project? How much influence could they exert on the project? Have the stakeholders already entered into any agreements? 5) Assessment of the planned project based on OECD/DAC criteria (see a) Relevance: Are the planned project activities appropriate for addressing the problem? Does the project approach address a key development problem or constraint in the partner country or region? Is the approach in line with the needs of the target groups? What changes are planned to have been accomplished by the project after it has been completed? b) Effectiveness: What is the most suitable project approach to achieving the objectives? Are the measures and the chosen methodology suitable for reaching the project objective? Should activities be planned at the meso and/or macro level (multi-level approach) in order to make the project more sustainable? Will use be made of synergies with interventions supported by other donors or programs? What measures does the study recommend with a view to achieving objectives? What impact logic/impact hypothesis should the project be based on? What could a meaningful logical framework look like, including suitable and informative indicators (presentation of a first rough draft of indicators and baseline data)? Who will monitor impacts? When? At what intervals? (Impact monitoring) c) Efficiency: Can the objectives be achieved in an economically efficient way through the planned project? What financial, institutional and human resources will be needed? Will it be possible to implement the planned measures within the time allocated for the project and based on the resources that are planned? Will it be possible to achieve the desired impacts, and will all that be possible in an economical and efficient manner (in terms of cost-benefit ratio)?

6 d) Significance / overarching development impact: Will the project help achieve broader development impacts? Which objectives and impacts derived from the problem/needs analysis are to be achieved, and for what target groups? To what extent will the project have a structural impact, to what extent can it serve as a model, and to what extent will it have a broad-based impact? Would it be advisable to pursue a multi-level approach (micro, meso and macro levels) in order to increase significance and effectiveness? To what extent have aspects relating to gender sensitivity, inclusion of persons with disabilities, cultural sensitivity, conflict sensitivity and human rights been incorporated in the project's objectives? e) Sustainability: Will the positive impact last after the project has been completed (without further external support)? How can sustainability of results and impacts be ensured and reinforced (in institutional, economic, social and environmental terms)? What are the roles and responsibilities of governmental and/or civil society institutions? To what extent will the project be able to build on local potential, institutions and procedures? What measures and instruments are best suited to harness and strengthen local ownership and initiative, participation, and capacity? Which socio-cultural barriers may impede the planned approach, and how can they be overcome? What negative consequences and impacts might result from project implementation? To what extent will it be possible to consider and address these risks in the project/project concept (e.g., Do No Harm approach, conflict-sensitive impact monitoring, etc.)? What risks are involved in project implementation (personal risk for those implementing the project, institutional and reputational risk, contextual risk)? How can they be minimized?